Smithsburg is OPEN

[Richard Hays]

Its official....the 'burg is open. Let the games begin.

AND REMEMBER:

1. don't do stupid crap up there.
2. Pickup trash,
3. don't drive into the field and get stuck with your car.
4. Limit the numbers of cars "in and along" the road. Should be reserved for hangglider carrying vehicles only and / or unloading.
5. Don't block the blacktop parking pad if others are expected to show up.
6. Be nice to all whoof-o's because you might just be talking to the landowner or their family.
7. Don't fly recklessly in crappy conditions and risk getting hurt. Nothing shuts down a site more than a landowner getting freaked when the meat wagon show up.
8. When launching, communicate with others in front of you. Make sure you have a clear path to fly to the LZ in case you stumble on launch or hit sink.
9. Watch the "salty dog" language out there. The neighbors don't want to hear profanity
10. The "pee tree". Use some modesty please. Turn your back and be discreet if ya' gotta take care of business. Driver's by don't want to see your junk. Nor do I.

See you there!

Richard Hays

[silverwings]

Good News! I have been trying to reach Eddie at least 25 times since last Friday with no success.

[cthornberger]

Great! I cant wait to see all you birds out there. Bring a friend .
Thanks for the news.

[lbunner]

Took my first hang gliding lesson in 35 years today at Smithsburg. I called John M. in the morning and he agreed to let me fly with his students and provide feedback on my technique. One might ask, why would you go to the training hill after getting almost 200 hours of airtime this year? Well, I am just not satisfied with the consistency of my landings. John provided me some excellent coaching and I feel my technique is much better. The day was pretty much straight in and all (Dave, Amy, Jim, Scott and Bob) had as many flights as desired. I ended up with nine and am wore out tonight. I was most impressed with John's teaching methods. His students (one with four lessons and another with two) had awesome flights and were very well versed in what it takes to successfully fly a glider safely. John took several flights as well and on one I provided him the guidance on the radio (as a joke) of what to do as he was perched at the top of the hill. You know, "hold your wings level, wait for good wind in your face" etc. When I was done, one of the students said, "you forgot to tell him to keep his speed up on landing". I knew then they were in good hands. I'm looking forward to flying with them at the mountain sites in the near future. Thanks John!

[A0213]

Had a great day yesterday!! I think Smithsburg is my new favorite hill.

I will be honest…I was reluctant to fly after last week’s incident. I almost bailed on the lesson, but Jon B. convinced me otherwise. He told me that I did not have to fly… that I could get there and change my mind, and that was OK… but I just needed to get back out there.

So, I got there… and I flew! ( I think Jon knew this was going to happen ) I had 10 total flights too! I feel like my confidence is has returned, and I am ‘back in the game’.

Life is good!